Bills Salary Cap woes [3:12 PM]Shout! reports:
'Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe never imagined the Bills' salary cap problems could be this bad. Some U.S. government officials are even comparing Buffalo's cap to the gross mismanagement of Social Security.'

Mike Sheppard/Joe Ferguson almost in [2:26 PM] reports:
'According to a TBD-friendly source, Mike Sheppard and Joe Ferguson are almost in as new coaches at One Bills Drive. While anything can happen to torpedo any candidate, this selection process is very close to be being over. (This same source reported that Gregg Williams was our leading candidate and that the announcement would come on Friday, many hours before the national and local media reports were even suggesting that Williams had emerged as our lead candidate.)'

Sheppard could end up calling plays for Buffalo [2:20 PM]Tacoma News Tribune reports:
'Seattle Seahawks assistant coach Mike Sheppard has surfaced as a leading candidate to become offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. The Bills received permission Monday to speak with Sheppard about their top offensive job under new coach Gregg Williams. The process could gain speed beginning today.'

Ravens' Lewis Didn't Really Want Bills' Job [11:33 AM]The Sporting News reports:
Mike Fondacaro was kind enough to pass this article along. Thanks Mike! Keep them coming... This piece reads like major damage control for Marvin Lewis. The more days that pass, the less outraged his entourage is and the more they claim it was was Lewis who turned down the Bills. Whatever Marvin...

Williams wants to speak to Seahawks coach [6:54 AM] reports:
Our friends at kffl.com posted this tidbit early this morning: 'ESPN reports Gregg Williams called the Seattle Seahawks to request permission to speak to their QBs coach Mike Sheppard about the offensive coordinator job. Seattle coach Mike Holmgren is due back from vacation Tuesday and he is expected to grant that permission.'

Moulds' salary could hurt defense [5:08 AM]D and C reports:
'In order to find salary- cap room to keep Moulds from becoming a free agent, the Bills have asked veteran stalwart defensive linemen Ted Washington and Phil Hansen to take pay cuts, said Angelo Wright, Washington's agent. Both players have refused, which may factor into their possible release.'

Bills' choice was based solely on ability [5:05 AM]D and C reports:
'Ted Cottrell, who had even more reason to be disappointed about not becoming Buffalo's head coach than Lewis, said he felt he was treated fairly. That should carry more weight than what Lewis and his agent think.'

February 5, 2001

Bills look to Lions' Zorn to fill out coaching staff [8:51 PM]CBS Sportsline reports:
'Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe said Monday the team has sought and been granted permission to speak with Zorn, who has two seasons remaining on his contract in Detroit, but might not fit into the staffing plans of new coach Marty Mornhinweg there.'

Report: Mauck to coach with Lions [8:32 PM]AP reports:
'Mauck would be the latest assistant to leave Buffalo, which is in the midst of changing its coaching staff under newly-hired head coach Gregg Williams, who took over following Wade Phillips' dismissal.'

Pro Bowl Photos [7:09 PM]TBD reports:
'One of the greatest aspects of Two Bills Drive is that we have readers located throughout the world. So when it comes time to share Bills news, we have "local" reporters in every market! Sunday was no exception, as longtime Stadium Wall message board poster, Eric/Hawaii, sent us his photos from the Pro Bowl! Thanks Eric!'

Bills resign three players [5:10 PM]TBD reports:
Orchard Park, NY - The Buffalo Bills today announced that the team has re-signed guard Corey Hulsey, defensive end Jarrett Procell, and fullback Josh Roth. All three players were with the team as unsigned free agents during the 2000 preseason and spent the entire regular season on the practice squad. Roth played at the University of Buffalo after starring at Pine Valley Central High School. Hulsey and Procell joined the team as unsigned rookie free agents out of Clemson and Louisiana Tech, respectively.

Bills have had an impressive postseason [4:04 PM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'It's telling that there was no groundswell of protest when Wilson tendered Phillips his pink slip. And, since then, the Bills' 82-year-old owner has done everything right ... either by plan, or sheer good fortune.'

Marvin Lewis's Agent Accuses Bills of Bias [9:28 AM]New York Times reports:
[Article requires registration]
Anderson, Lewis's very vocal agent, accuses the Bills of bias in the negotiations with Lewis. If anything the Bills were biased TOWARD Lewis for Lewis was the only candidate who got a second interview due to him "not interviewing well" the first time. Tom Donahoe, who hired him before in Pittsburgh, felt he may have been exhausted after his Super Bowl run and wanted to give him a second chance.

"A coaching change could be coming on the Lions' offensive line. Carl Mauck, who played 12 NFL seasons with four teams, was at the Silverdome on Friday. Mauck has been an NFL assistant with six teams since 1982 and with Buffalo the last three. His units have reflected his toughness as a player."

Levy, Buoniconti hope their achievements stand forever [9:22 AM]Online Athens reports:
'Marv and a Fish agree - they hope their accomplishments stand forever. With NFL parity, Levy's record of coaching four straight Superbowls is more likely to stand than Buoniconti's record of being a member of an undefeated team.'

Lions tap Mauck [8:54 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The Buffalo Bills have lost another assistant coach from the Wade Phillips regime as offensive line coach Carl Mauck has reached an agreement to coach in the same capacity for the Detroit Lions, The Buffalo News has learned.'

February 4, 2001

Numbers game [8:59 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The Bills currently stand about $13.4 million over the NFL's projected salary cap of $67.4 million for 2001, according to salary figures obtained by The Buffalo News.'

Bills ready big offer to Moulds [8:58 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Greg Johnson, one of Moulds' New Orleans-based agents...would not comment on the contract, but league sources said the Bills' offer is a six-year deal worth between $58 and $60 million dollars.'

Gilbride candidate for Bills job [8:20 AM]Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports:
'Bills coach Gregg Williams worked with Gilbride when both men were assistant coaches with the Houston Oilers in the early 1990s. Gilbride also worked closely with Bills quarterback Rob Johnson in Jacksonville.'